Archive for November, 2008

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Does anyone know of any other free resources like craigslist for New Jersey?

Sunday, November 9th, 2008
Automotive Services
logowatchdog asked:


Areas of interest in New Jersey:

Housing
apts / housing, rooms / shared, office / commercial, housing swap, housing wanted, sublets / temporary, parking / storage, vacation rentals, real estate for sale

For Sale
auto parts, baby / kids / toys, barter, books, bicycles, boats, cars + trucks, cds / dvds / vhs, clothing + acc, collectibles, computers, electronics, free, furniture, garage sale, general, household, jewelry, motorcycles, musical instruments, sporting, tickets, tools, wanted

Services
automotive, computer, creative, event, financial, household, labor/move, legal, lessons, real estate, skilled trade, small business ads, therapeutic

Community
activities, artists, childcare, classes, events, general community, groups, lost & found, musicians, news & views, pets, politics, rideshare, volunteers

Personals
strictly platonic, men seeking women, men seeking men, women seeking men, women seeking women, misc romance, casual encounters, missed connections

Carlos

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Posted in Other - Advertising & Marketing | 3 Comments »

Automotive Glass Giants to Merge

Friday, November 7th, 2008
Automotive Services
Glady Reign asked:


Two leading companies in the automotive glass and replacement industry is set to merge so as to create what could be the biggest and most influential company in the said industry. These two giants of the automotive glass industry are BELRON, the world’s leader in vehicle glass repair, and Safelite Group Inc. which is the US’ largest automotive glass replacement and repair company.

The Safelite reputation for being the only integrated provider of automotive glass insurance in the country will be acquired by BELRON. Safelite also boasts of retail fulfillment, an automotive glass manufacturing plant and a network of wholesale distributions. The planned merging of the two companies will be subjected to regulatory approval for it to take place.

Talks are still going on and the deal may be sealed on March this year. Once the deal is completed, operation of the new organization will immediately commence. The combination of BELRON Inc., the US arm of the BELRON Company, and Safelite will give birth to a company that will be named Belron US. “This acquisition is the early phase of an overarching plan to profitably grow market share in an industry teeming with potential,” Dan Wilson stated. Wilson is the president and chief executive officer of Safelite Group. The joining of the forces of the two leaders in the industry would greatly benefit not only the two companies but their customers as well.

“Growth will be organic and through additional strategic, targeted acquisitions. Safelite’s customers, business partners and staff will benefit from a parent company with a global focus on the automotive glass industry. Belron is passionate about sharing best practices globally and has profitable growth at the center of its US ambitions,” Wilson added further.

The partnership aims to take control 20 percent of the market. They are in such a position so as to make this a reality. Of course, it would not be that surprising since both companies are leaders on their field and the technologies employed by both companies will be combined. The combination of their potentials and their assets will benefit their buyers.

Belron already has 110 years of experience under its belt and their success is a testament to the company’s effort to raise the bar in the automotive glass industry. Gary Lubner, the group chief executive officer of Belron stated that the their company’s experience will help the partnership “provide more locations, increased capacity, and expanded service offerings to individual consumers as well as insurance, fleet, and commercial customers”. Indeed, the new company will cover the basic and the marginal demands of the industry much like a Volvo floor mat covers a car’s floor that well.

The partnership will greatly impact consumers positively. They will have an access not only to the 212 branches of Safelite but the merging will also add to that number the 90 branches of Belron in the US. Mobile service and repair vehicles will also be increased, Safelite has 2,200 of them and Belron will add to that with 500 of their own. The combination of their resources would mean that they would have wider service coverage all over the country, all of the 50 states will be considered in the expansion.

Aside from their consumer channel, Safelite also provides property and casualty claims management services under its subsidiary, Safelite Solutions. Another arm of Safelite is their service operation which is a national provider of complete automotive glass products. The service operation also installs and repairs materials and tools as well as replacing them. They have a wide network of warehouses in the United States composed of 81 depots across the country.



Micheal

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Posted in Automotive | No Comments »

Car Dealer Financing Deals in the United States, Including Audi Dealer Oakland, and Their Services

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
Automotive Services
Trevor Mulholland asked:


There are 50,000 automobile and truck dealers in the United States, including Audi dealer Oakland in California, Ford dealerships in Alabama and other major car brands around the United States. Their combined sales amount to approximately $770 billion and the biggest dealers are Sonic Automotive, AutoNation, Group 1 Automotive and United Auto Group.

The top 100 dealerships in the U.S. account for less than 15 percent of total industry sales. There are 25,000 new automobile dealers, including Audi dealer Oakland, with total sales of $700 billion and approximately 25,000 used automobile dealers with total sales of $70 billion. An automobile dealership usually makes around $30 million a year, with about 500 car dealers in the U.S. ranging around $100 million of revenue annually.

The profitability of a car dealership is mainly dependent on the volume of automobiles and services sold, and the demand for automobiles is mostly affected by interest rates and consumer income, because most automobiles bought have to be financed. There are several factors that determine the interest rate that a consumer can avail of for a car loan. These are: the finance company, the automobile to be purchased, the length of the loan term and the consumer’s credit rating.

The consumer can avail of a car loan from a bank, a credit union, or the financing arm of the car manufacturer. The car dealer can also provide the loan and other financing options. Interest rates for buying a new automobile are lower than those offered for purchasing a used car. With regards to loan term length in general, longer terms have higher interest rates. Also, consumers with higher credit ratings are more likely to be offered lower interest rates. It is estimated that only 15 percent of automobile buyers in the U.S. qualify for zero percent loans offered by car manufacturers.

Meanwhile, car dealers can also offer insurance to their customers. Guaranteed Auto Protection or GAP insurance is offered to protect loans in case the car is lost because of theft or an accident. Credit life insurance and disability insurance policies can also be offered by the car dealership. Disability insurance can protect the loan in case the borrower is unable to work during the loan term, while credit life insurance covers the remaining balance of a loan in case the borrower dies.

Car dealerships can also offer aftermarket accessories which are not directly offered by the automobile manufacturer. Many dealerships also have their own service shops. The car buyer can avail of the services of these shops through pre-paid maintenance agreements. However, because of the broad differences in programs that are offered from dealership to dealership, say, with seller like Audi dealer Oakland offering services and materials different from those available at Ford or Mercedes, it is essential for the consumer to know what gets covered under such a plan and what the suggested service intervals are.



Nicholas

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Posted in Automotive | No Comments »

Help! How can I start a business when I have no money, real bad credit and no rich friends or family?

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
Automotive Services
dstahngogo asked:


I have a great idea for a new members only service business that is partial web based and partial brick and mortar in the automotive industry. I found a need that hasn’t been met and this business is designed to meet that need. I know this is a service that most people can really use with nearly no competition. The entire concept is quite unique and very legitimate and the income potential is incredible.

So far I have a rough business plan that I put together as well as the name of the business and a great looking logo. There’s just one huge problem. Where do I get the start up money of at least $35K - $50K to start my new business?

Here are the facts. I have no money. I’m on Social Security disability and I can barely make it from month to month. I have terrible credit and no wealthy friends or family members. So traditional funding sources such as banks, credit cards, and asking friends or family members for money are all out of the question.

I need the 35K - $50K for two web pages one of which is fairly elaborate and is an important integral part of my business. I also need money for office space, advertising and a variety of other business-related items needed for a new start-up.

I have some prior experience doing this business but this time I’ll be ratcheting it up a bit and will be eventually helping hundreds of thousands of people along the way.

One great part of my business is that people who are signed up can actually make some real cold hard cash. My business will be a real win-win situation for everybody involved.

Any help to find the necessary funding would be very much appreciated!

Thanks!!

Stephen

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Posted in Small Business | 6 Comments »

standard work hours per day per employee in MD state?

Monday, November 3rd, 2008
Automotive Services
Tipm asked:


Elsewhere in other countries, we work for 8 hours per day and max 40 hours per week.

I was reading some ads and found that some shops (automotive service) in U.S open from 6am till 7pm. This means staff work for 12 or 13 hours, is this legal or just the employers doling their own thing?

What is the standard work hours recommended by law in MD state? Any ideas??

Thanks for input.

Beatrice

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Posted in Law & Ethics | 1 Comment »

Economy and Automotive Industry

Monday, November 3rd, 2008
Automotive Services
MTnews asked:


Daily Market Commentary for November 17, 2008 from Millennium-Traders.Com

The ‘Big 3′ are still awaiting a response from the government as to whether they can expect more funds to help bail them out of the sinking automotive industry. (read more)

http://www.millennium-traders.com/news/newscommentary.aspx

Economic data released today:

Empire State Manufacturing Survey:

New York Fed November Manufacturing Index fell 25.43 versus drop by 24.62 in October; New York Fed November New Orders fell 22.21 versus drop by 20.45 in October; New York Fed November Employment fell 28.92 versus drop by 3.66 in October; New York Fed November Prices Received 6.02 versus 20.73 in October; New York Fed November Manufacturing Index Drops to record low.

Industrial Production: U.S.

October Industrial Production increased by 1.3 percent compared to consensus of an increase by 0.4 percent; U.S. October Capacity Utilization increased by 0.9 points at 76.4 percent ; compared to consensus of 76.7 percent; U.S. September Industrial Production Revised to a drop by 3.7 percent from a drop by 2.8 percent.

At the NYSE closing bell on the New York Stock Exchange, here is how the major world indices and major U.S. stock indices ended the trading session on the world markets as well as the emerging markets including the stock market closing bell price:

DOW (Dow Jones Industrial Average) triple digit loss of 223.73 points to end the trading session at 8,273.58

NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) triple digit loss of 129.27 points to end the trading session at 5,323.36

National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) loss of 34.80 points to end the trading session at 1,482.05

S&P 500 (SPX) loss of 22.54 points to end the trading session at 850.75

FTSE All-World Index data excluding U.S. (AW01UK) loss of 2.97 points to end the trading session at 139.21

FTSE RAFI 1000 loss of 89.30 points to end the trading session at 3,250.32

BEL 20 (BEL20) loss of 26.80 points to end the trading session at 2,034.28

CAC 40 (CAC40) triple digit loss of 109.44 points to end the trading session at 3,182.03

FTSE100 (UKX100) triple digit loss of 100.81 points to end the trading session at 4,132.16

NIKKEI 225 (NIK/O) gain of 60.19 points to end the trading session at 8,522.58

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) stock market indicators for the trading session today:

Advanced stock prices 777, declined stock prices 2,408; unchanged stock prices 70; stock prices hitting new highs 1 and stock prices hitting new lows 4. NYSE quotes for volatile stocks and market trends, as well as stock quotes, stock prices and stock symbols of Day Trading Stock Picks on the New York Stock Exchange stock market for Day Trading online and active Day Trading for those who are or would like to be Day Trading for a living: ConocoPhillips Incorporated (NYSE: COP) stock price shed 0.63 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $48.82, low on the trading session $46.57 with a closing stock price at $46.76; Alpharma Incorporated (NYSE: ALO) stock price shed 0.04 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $35.03, low on the trading session $33.00 with a closing stock price at $34.71; Citigroup Incorporated (NYSE: C) stock price shed 0.63 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $9.81, low on the trading session $8.75 with a closing stock price at $8.89; Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) stock price shed 0.82 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $64.53, low on the trading session $61.75 with a closing stock price at $62.86; Bank of America Corporation (NYSE: BAC) stock price shed 1.39 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $16.28, low on the trading session $14.98 with a closing stock price at $15.03; PNC Financial Services (NYSE: PNC) stock price shed 3.15 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $63.29, low on the trading session $59.01 with a closing stock price at $59.19; CME Group Incorporated (NYSE: CME) stock price shed 19.11 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $207.79, low on the trading session $189.82 with a closing stock price at $189.92; Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR) stock price shed 1.76 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $36.31, low on the trading session $33.77 with a closing stock price at $33.97; Ultrashort Financial ProShares Corporation (NYSE: SKF) stock price gained 15.55 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $182.68, low on the trading session $166.05 with a closing stock price at $180.54; Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated (NYSE: GS) stock price shed 4.24 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $66.33, low on the trading session $61.75 with a closing stock price at $62.49; Potash Corporation (NYSE: POT) stock price shed 0.66 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $71.50, low on the trading session $67.12 with a closing stock price at $69.15.

National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) stock market indicators for the trading session today:

Advanced stock prices 919; declined stock prices 1,951; unchanged stock prices 139; stock prices hitting new highs 3; stock prices hitting new lows 416. NASDAQ quotes, volatile stocks and market trends, as well as stock quotes, stock prices and stock symbols of Day Trading Stock Picks on the NASDAQ stock market for Day Trading online and active Day Trading for those who are or would like to be Day Trading for a living: United Therapeutics Corporation (NasdaqGS: UTHR) stock price shed 31.90 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $62.17; low on the trading session $56.29 with a closing stock price at $58.62; Baidu.com Incorporated (NasdaqGS: BIDU) stock price shed 37.21 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $165.00; low on the trading session $130.51 with a closing stock price at $141.68; Intuitive Surgical Incorporated (NasdaqGS: ISRG) stock price shed 17.78 points on the trading session, high on the trading session $148.44; low on the trading session $123.02 with a closing stock price at $130.63.

Market trends on the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) and stock market indicators for the trading session today:

Advanced stock prices 260; declined stock prices 564; unchanged stock prices 56; stock prices hitting new highs n/a and stock prices hitting new lows n/a.

Chicago Board of Trade Futures Market activity for the day, at time of this posting for December 2008 Contracts:

E-mini S&P 500 (ES) end of trading session price 852.50, change -9.00

E-mini NASDAQ-100 (NQ) end of trading session price 1,162.00, change 6.50

E-mini DOW $5 (YM) end of trading session price 8,256, change -115

E-mini S&P MidCap 400 end of trading session price 489.410, change 0.00

E-mini S&P SmallCap 600 (SMP) end of trading session price 488.70, change -0.70

World Currencies for the Forex Market, for Forex Trading by active Forex Traders, at time of this posting:

Euro 0.7908 to U.S. Dollars 1.2646

Japanese Yen 96.360 to U.S. Dollars 0.0104

British Pound 0.6672 to U.S. Dollars 1.4987

Canadian Dollar 1.2229 to U.S. Dollars 0.8177

Swiss Franc 1.1980 to U.S. Dollars 0.8347

Commodity Markets:

Energy Sector: Light Crude (NYMEX: NYM) shed $2.09 on the trading session for a closing price of $54.95 a barrel ($US per barrel)

Heating Oil (NYMEX: NYM) shed $0.05 on the trading session for a closing price of $1.81 a gallon ($US per gallon)

Natural Gas (NYMEX: NYM) gained $0.17 on the trading session for a closing price of $6.64 per million BTU ($US per mmbtu.)

Unleaded Gas (NYMEX: NYM) shed $0.06 on the trading session for a closing price of $1.17 a gallon ($US per gallon)

Metals Markets:

Gold Market Price (COMEX: CMX) shed $0.50 on the trading session for a closing price of $742.00 ($US per Troy ounce)

Silver (COMEX: CMX) shed $0.16 on the trading session for a closing price of $9.33 ($US per Troy ounce)

Platinum (NYMEX: NYM) shed $24.50 on the trading session for a closing price of $820.60 ($US per Troy ounce)

Copper (COMEX: CMX) shed $0.05 on the trading session for a closing price of $1.67 ($US per pound)

Livestock and Meat Markets (cents per lb.):

Lean Hogs (Chicago Mercantile Exchange: CME) shed 0.53 on the trading session for a closing price of 62.05

Pork Bellies (Chicago Mercantile Exchange: CME) shed 0.60 on the trading session for a closing price of 84.70

Live Cattle (Chicago Mercantile Exchange: CME) shed 1.65 on the trading session for a closing price of 89.03

Feeder Cattle (Chicago Mercantile Exchange: CME) shed 1.38 on the trading session for a closing price of 93.90

Other Commodities (cents per bushel):

Corn (Chicago Board of Trade: CBT) gained 6.00 on the trading session for a closing price of 403.00

Soybeans (Chicago Board of Trade: CBT) gained 10.50 on the trading session for a closing price of 906.50

Bond Market:

2 year bond gained 1/32 on the trading session for a closing price of 100 18/32 with a Yield of 1.19, Yield Change -0.02

5 year bond gained 4/32 on the trading session for a closing price of 102 4/32 with a Yield of 2.28, Yield Change -0.03

10 year bond gained 15/32 on the trading session for a closing price of 100 20/32 with a Yield of 3.67, Yield Change -0.05

30 year bond gained 16/32 on the trading session for a closing price of 105 2/32 with a Yield of 4.19, Yield Change -0.03

Thanks for reading

Millennium-Traders.Com

http://www.millennium-traders.com



Claudia

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Posted in Personal Finance | No Comments »

Where can I find automotive oil changing pit diagrams at?

Sunday, November 2nd, 2008
Automotive Services
Joshua K asked:


I need oil changing pit diagrams for service vans.

Jeremy

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Posted in Maintenance & Repairs | 3 Comments »

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